Rumor: Disc-less Xbox Name and Release Window Reportedly Leaked

By Colin Stevens

New rumors suggest that an Xbox One S without a disc drive will arrive this spring.

Reported by Windows Central, according to unnamed sources, this device, frequently referred to as “Maverick,” will be called the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. Microsoft is reportedly aiming for preorders to open up in mid-April with general availability coming in early May. The rumor suggests that this could be a near-global simultaneous launch.

No pricing was mentioned, though if this rumor proves to be true, it should be expected that the device will be cheaper than the standard Xbox One S.

Rumors for the Maverick began popping up in November 2018, at which point it was suggested the device would sell for less than $200. The lack of a disc drive would focus the console as a digital-only device, perhaps further leveraging Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass digital subscription service.

An early May release for this rumored All-Digital Edition would bring it to market just before E3 2019 in June, where Microsoft is rumored to be unveiling its next generation family of Xbox hardware codenamed Project Scarlet. If this does come to pass, it falls in line with Xbox head Phil Spenser claiming that Microsoft will “be as big at E3 as we’ve ever been.”

Colin Stevens is a news writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.